Method and system for paring shutter glasses with a remote control unit

ABSTRACT

A method for pairing of shutter glasses ( 411 - 414 ) with a remote control unit (RCU) ( 461 - 464, 272 - 273 ) for use with a display device ( 220, 230 ) configured to display a plurality of video streams by time interleaving the frames of the video streams and sending synchronization signal to shutter glasses. The method comprises the steps of: generating at least one synchronization signal ( 911, 912; 921, 922; 913, 923 ) for the shutter glasses ( 411 - 414 ); receiving an IR signal ( 331 B) from the RCU ( 461 - 464, 272 - 273 ); comparing the temporal correspondence of the received IR signal ( 331 B) with the generated at least one synchronization signal ( 911, 912; 921, 922; 913, 923 ); and in case a temporal correspondence is found, pairing the RCU ( 461 - 464, 272 - 273 ) with the shutter glasses ( 411 - 414 ) for which the correspondent synchronization signal ( 911, 912; 921, 922; 913, 923 ) was found.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for pairing shutter glasseswith a remote control unit (RCU).

BACKGROUND

Currently available video display technologies allow full-screen displayof a plurality of video streams on a single TV display, monitor or evena cinema screen, to allow the plurality of users to watch differentstreams simultaneously.

For example, this can be achieved by time-interleaving the successiveframes of the video streams. First, a first frame of stream “A” can bedisplayed, then a first frame of stream “B”, then a first frame ofstream “C”, and next a second frame of stream “A”, a second frame ofstream “B” and so on. So-called shutter glasses can be used byindividual users (watchers) to watch particular video streams, as knownfrom the 3D video technology. The shutter glasses have lenses whichchange from transparent to opaque and vice versa. The process ofchanging the state of the lenses is controlled electronically and isrelatively fast comparing to human perception. The glasses aresynchronized with the display such that when the frames of the stream“A” are displayed, the shutter glasses “1” are transparent and the otherglasses are opaque, and when the frames of the stream “B” are displayed,the shutter glasses “2” are transparent and the other glasses areopaque, and so on. If the video streams are monoscopic, both lenses forthe left and right eye change their state simultaneously. As a result,the watcher wearing the glasses “1” observes only frames related tostream “A” while the watcher wearing the glasses “2” observes only theframes of stream “B” and so on. Therefore, the video streams can beselected independently by different watchers for simultaneous watchingon the same display.

The aforementioned method may be also applied for simultaneous watchingof 3D video streams, as well as simultaneous watching of 3D and 2D videostreams. The technology is limited mainly by the maximum amount offrames that can be displayed per a unit of time by the displayingdevice.

The video streams may be provided from one source or a plurality ofdifferent sources, such as a computer, a game console, a televisionset-top box, a DVD player, a smartphone etc. For example, a game consolemay provide two distinct video streams, each for a different player.Alternatively, a single display can be used by two watchers, wherein onewatcher intends to watch a video stream from a game console and thesecond watcher intends to watch a television program from a set-top box.

Each watcher should have an individual headset to receive a sound trackcorresponding to the watched video stream. In another scenario of use,different watchers can watch the same video stream, but with differentsound tracks (for example different languages).

There is a need to provide, for each watcher of the multi-streamdisplay, a way to control the display of the stream watched by thewatcher, for example by providing a menu that is at least partiallyindependent for each watcher, such that each watcher may individuallycontrol the display.

To browse and operate the multi instantiations menu, for convenience,two or more RCUs are recommended, one for each watcher. Therefore, eachwatcher has an associated RCU. This requires to synchronize each RCUwith the shutter glasses such that the device driving the display canassociate the RCU with a particular watcher.

There are known various methods for pairing (synchronization) of deviceswith each other. Typically, a bidirectional radio communication anddedicated pushbuttons are needed for initialization of thesynchronization. For example, Wi-Fi devices use WPS (Wi-Fi ProtectedSetup) synchronization. It is also possible to permanently associate twodevices with each other, for example the shutter glasses can bepermanently paired with a particular RCU. However, such permanentpairing is inconvenient and in case one of the devices is damaged, theother device becomes useless.

Therefore there is a need to provide an alternative method for pairingwatchers' devices, which would allow to synchronize simple devices notequipped with bidirectional communication.

SUMMARY

There is disclosed a method for pairing of shutter glasses with a remotecontrol unit for use with a display device configured to display aplurality of video streams by time interleaving the frames of the videostreams and sending synchronization signal to shutter glasses, whereinthe method comprises the steps of: generating at least onesynchronization signal for the shutter glasses; receiving an IR signalfrom the RCU; comparing the temporal correspondence of the received IRsignal with the generated at least one synchronization signal; and incase a temporal correspondence is found, pairing the RCU with theshutter glasses for which the correspondent synchronization signal wasfound.

The IR signal can be found to be corresponding with a particularsynchronization signal when the IR signal is at least partially activeduring the active time of the synchronization signal and when the IRsignal is not active during the inactive time of the synchronizationsignal.

The method may comprise receiving an identifier ID of the RCU beforegenerating the at least one synchronization signal.

The method may further comprise generating a synchronization message onthe display before generating the at least one synchronization signal.

The method may comprise generating the synchronization message at framesof all displayed video streams.

The synchronization message may comprise an instruction for the user toplace the shutter glasses between the IR transmitter of the RCU and theIR receiver of the display device.

The RCU can be configured to transmit a series of impulses upon pressinga dedicated synchronization button.

There is also disclosed a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, enablemethod for pairing of shutter glasses with a remote control unit inaccordance with the method as described above.

There is also disclosed a display device configured to display aplurality of video streams by time interleaving the frames of the videostreams and sending synchronization signal to shutter glasses, thedisplay device being controllable by at least one remote control unit,wherein the display device comprises a controller configured to pairshutter glasses with a remote control unit by: generating at least onesynchronization signal for the shutter glasses; receiving an IR signalfrom the RCU; comparing the temporal correspondence of the received IRsignal with the generated at least one synchronization signal; and incase a temporal correspondence is found, pairing the RCU with theshutter glasses for which the correspondent synchronization signal wasfound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further details and features of the present invention, its nature andvarious advantages will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments shown in drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a content distribution system;

FIG. 2 shows an overview of the content distribution system at userpremises;

FIGS. 3A-3C show different embodiments of the system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A shows examples of user devices;

FIG. 4B shows details of user glasses;

FIG. 5A shows a typical setup of a mobile device;

FIG. 5B shows a sensors unit of the mobile device;

FIG. 5C shows the connectivity module of the mobile device;

FIG. 6A shows configuration of a decoder;

FIG. 6B shows resources of a data receiving block in the decoder;

FIG. 6C shows data stored in a memory of the decoder;

FIG. 7A shows an example of a configuration of a multi-user GUI;

FIG. 7B shows the multi-user GUI configuration of FIG. 7A with differenttypes of displayed content;

FIG. 7C shows another configuration of the multi-user GUI;

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a method for initializing multipleinstantiations of a multi-user GUI;

FIGS. 9A-9B show details of synchronization of the shutter glasses andthe RCUs;

FIG. 10 shows a synchronization procedure conducted by the watcher;

FIG. 11 shows a synchronization procedure conducted by the displaydevice.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

Some portions of the detailed description which follows are presented interms of data processing procedures, steps or other symbolicrepresentations of operations on data bits that can be performed oncomputer memory. Therefore, a computer executes such logical steps thusrequiring physical manipulations of physical quantities.

Usually these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signalscapable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwisemanipulated in a computer system. For reasons of common usage, thesesignals are referred to as bits, packets, messages, values, elements,symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

Additionally, all of these and similar terms are to be associated withthe appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labelsapplied to these quantities. Terms such as “processing” or “creating” or“transferring” or “executing” or “determining” or “detecting” or“obtaining” or “selecting” or “calculating” or “generating” or the like,refer to the action and processes of a computer system that manipulatesand transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantitieswithin the computer's registers and memories into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the memories or registers orother such information storage.

A computer-readable (storage) medium, such as referred to herein,typically may be non-transitory and/or comprise a non-transitory device.In this context, a non-transitory storage medium may include a devicethat may be tangible, meaning that the device has a concrete physicalform, although the device may change its physical state. Thus, forexample, non-transitory refers to a device remaining tangible despite achange in state.

As utilized herein, the term “example” means serving as a non-limitingexample, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the terms “forexample” and “e.g.” introduce a list of one or more non-limitingexamples, instances, or illustrations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 presents an overview of a content distribution system. Contentcan be provided to user devices 110 by various distributors from varioussources. A content provider 120 may provide linear TV content, such astime-and-channel based television, live broadcasts etc., to a contentdelivery network 100, which may be broadcast, multicast or unicast. Theuser is connected with the content delivery network via a transmissionchannel 101, such as a Cable, Satellite, Terrestrial, IP multicastnetwork or other type of network. Additional services are available tothe user devices 110 linked via a transmission channel 151 with theinternet 150 (or through the content provider 120 connected via atransmission channel 152 with the Internet and via a transmissionchannel 102 with the content delivery network 110) and include at leastsome of the following.

A catch-up service 140 is configured to provide, via a transmissionchannel 154, retransmission the content that has been already broadcastas linear TV, in order to allow the users to watch it a few hours oreven days later.

An Electronic Program Guide (EPG) data provider 130 is configured toprovide, via a transmission channel 153, additional data about contentavailable from various sources, including the content available from thecontent delivery network 100 and the other content providers 140.

The content items for which the program guide is displayed may includelive broadcast events and/or other content items, such as catch-upcontent, video-on-demand content, etc.

The transmission channels 151-154 may be of any known type, such aswired or wireless, using transmission technologies suitable to carrydata of a particular service.

An application server 160 is configured to provide, via a transmissionchannel 155, applications of virtual RCU for mobile devices allowingthem to emulate a regular RCU unit.

FIG. 2 presents an overview of a content distribution system at a userpremises, such as at home or at an office. The user devices areconnected to an Intranet—a local area network (LAN) 200 via an interfacesuch as Ethernet (IP) 210, which is connected with the Internet 150 viathe transmission channel 151. The LAN 200 preferably includes a firewall201 and a router 202 configured to secure and coordinate datatransmission. A gateway 280 may provide access to the Intranet 200 via awireless access point (AP) 290, such as in Wi-Fi technology. A pluralityof devices may be used in the user premises. Some of the devices may bemobile devices, such as a smartphone 271, a tablet 272 or another typeof device 273. Other devices may be mobile or stationary and includedevices such as a notebook computer 261, a personal computer 262, a gameconsole 263, a Set Top Box (STB) or a Set Back Box (SBB) 221, 222, 223connected to a television set 231, 232, 233, or a smart television set240. A broadcasting distribution interface 250 may receive content fromthe content delivery network 100 via the transmission channel 101 and/orfrom the other devices 221-223, 240, 261-263, 271-273, 280 via directlinks or the Ethernet interface 210 and distribute it to the otherdevices via direct links or via the Ethernet interface 210.

FIG. 3A shows one example of an embodiment of the system of FIG. 2. Avideo decoder device 220 (such as a Set Top Box or a Set Back Box)receives data from the broadcasting distribution interface 250, decodesit and displays on a display device 230 (such as a TV set). The decoder220 is configured to output a plurality of video streams such that theycan be watched simultaneously by the watchers, as known in the art ande.g. explained in the background section. The decoder 220 is configuredto provide a menu with multiple instantiations, as will be explained indetails below. The menu has a graphical user interface (GUI) withseveral simultaneous instantiations associated with each watcher 311-314associated to corresponding shutter glasses. Each watcher may beassociated with several devices 321-324: glasses (with or withoutheadphones), a Remote Control Unit (RCU) (regular or emulated bysoftware application run on a mobile device) and headphones (autonomicwired or wireless, or wired connected to the mobile device). Separateinstantiation of the multi-user GUI is operated for each watcher311-314, therefore the watchers may navigate through different modulesof the menu at the same time while watching the same Display device. Theshutter glasses are synchronized so that when contents 301 for thewatcher 311 are displayed, then that glasses 411 (shown in FIG. 7A) aretransparent while the glasses of other watchers 312-314 are opaque. Thesame applies in equivalent manner to contents 302-304 for the otherwatchers 312-314.

FIG. 3B shows another embodiment, in a configuration wherein the TV set230 is connected with the decoder 220 by means of a HDMI interface oranother A/V interface (e.g. WHDI—Wireless Home Digital Interface) and isfurther connected with another video source like e.g. a personalcomputer 262 and with a terrestrial antenna 471. In such a case, the TVset 230 must have an integrated function for combining the video streamsreceived from different sources and displaying the streams in asequential manner. The TV set 230 and the decoder 220 have an IR sensor.Each watcher 311, 312, 314 utilizes their shutter glasses 411, 412, 414and a remote control unit 461, 462, 464. The shutter glasses have theirown identification number—the glasses 411 have the identification numberID1, the glasses 412 have ID2 and so on. Similarly, the RCUs also havetheir own identification number for example the first RCU 461 has an ID1.1, the second RCU 462 has an ID 2.1 and the last RCU 464 has an ID M.1wherein M is the consecutive number of the watcher. The identificationnumber is transferred to the receiving device while sending any commandfrom the RCU (i.e. after any button is pressed). Additionally, the RCUmay be equipped with a synchronization button, to facilitate the pairingprocess. The synchronization (pairing) procedure of the remote controlunits with the shutter glasses is conducted in the TV set bytransferring the IR signal 331A, 332A, 334A of the RCU through the lensof the appropriate shutter glasses 411, 412, 414 (the one to besynchronized with the given RCU). The signals passed through theparticular glasses are received by the TV set which recognizes andassociates the signals 331B, 332B, 334B with the correspondingsynchronization times of the particular shutter glasses. In other words,the TV set receives only parts of the signals emitted by the RCU whichpassed through the lens of the shutter glasses during their transparentstate, and based on this the TV set is able to determine which signalpassed through the given glasses.

FIG. 3C shows a configuration where the synchronization procedure of theremote control units with the shutter glasses is conducted in thedecoder 220 by means of a method equivalent to that described above withreference to FIG. 3B. In this configuration of the system, the TV set230 may be a standard TV, which simplifies the overall system design, aswell as its costs. The frame sequence which is to be displayed on the TVset is prepared by the decoder 220.

FIG. 4A shows examples of user devices. The watcher may use differentuser devices for controlling the GUI menu and receiving the audio/videostreams. For example, a standard RCU 460, a mobile device 270, shutterglasses with earphones 420 or shutter glasses without earphones 410,wired or wireless headphones 430, 440, 450 can be used.

FIG. 4B shows a detailed example of shutter glasses 410, 420. Theshutter glasses 410, 420 can be equipped with a mechanical micro switchor a touch sensor 413 for activating and deactivating the glasses, an IRtransmitter 412 and an IR receiver 411 for on-head detection (i.e.detecting whether the user wears the glasses) and a communication system414 for bidirectional communication with the decoder or the displaydevice. The head of the user is detected when the signal path betweenthe IR transmitter 412 and the IR receiver 411 is obstructed. Aftertaking off the glasses, the IR receiver 411 receives a signal from theIR transmitter 412 and the glasses can be automatically deactivated. Thebidirectional communication system 414 receives synchronization signals,which control the state of the lenses (transparent or opaque).

FIG. 5A presents a typical setup of a mobile device 270. The device 270comprises a connectivity module 560 responsible for wirelessly receivingand/or transmitting data. A memory 504 is used for storing data(including data associated with the cooperating user devices) as well assoftware executed by the processor 510 of the mobile device (forexample, the virtual RCU 511 application). A clock module 503 isconfigured to provide clock reference for other modules of the system(cooperating with a time control module 512 of the processor). A sensorsmodule 530 comprises at least one sensor as will be presented withreference to FIG. 5B.

Other, typical, but optional modules of the mobile device are a displaymodule 550 configured to display the GUI to a user, a keyboard 506operating as an input interface for the mobile device, an audio module540 configured to generate audible signals and/or an external memoryslot such as an SD card slot 505 configured to receive and operate anexternal memory unit.

A bidirectional data bus 501 may be employed to enable communicationbetween the modules and the processor 510.

The mobile device may also comprise a power management module 520cooperating with a battery 502.

FIG. 5B presents a sensors unit 530 of the mobile device. The managementof sensors may be controlled by a sensors aggregation unit 531, whichserves as a bridge between each of the set of sensors and a clientrequesting data from respective sensors. The sensors may be any one ofor any subgroup of the following sensors: a proximity sensor 536, atemperature sensor 537, a light intensity sensor 539, an accelerometer533, an altimeter 532, a gyroscope 534, a magnetometer 535, and a camerasensor 538. The aforementioned sensors operate according to principlesknown in the prior art, in particular in the field of smartphones.

FIG. 5C presents the connectivity module 560 of the mobile device. Thecommunication means may be any one of or any subgroup of the following:Wi-Fi 561, Bluetooth 562, FM radio 563, GPS 564, cellular telephonycommunication unit 565 (such as GSM, 3G, 4G and similar) communicatingwith a sim card slot 566, or similar. The different communication meansmay be managed by an antenna switch 567 connected to an antenna module568 that may comprise one or more types of antennas.

FIG. 6A shows a structure of the decoder 220. The decoder 220 (a Set TopBox (STB) or a Set Back Box (SBB)) is capable of executing multipleinstantiations of the GUI.

A data receiving/transmitting block 620 is configured to communicate,via at least one transmission channel 602, with the Ethernet (IP)network 210 or the wireless network, in order to receive content,applications and/or content data. The decoder may further compriseexternal interfaces 630 (Ethernet, Bluetooth, Zigbee RF4CE, Wi-Fi,InfraRed) to communicate, via at least one communication channel 603,with other devices or accessories.

A clock module 660 is configured to provide timing data necessary e.g.to synchronize the modules in the decoder.

A master RCU controller 650 is used for communicating 605 with user'sremote control units (a standard RCU or the RCU emulated on the mobiledevice).

An audio/video block 670 is used for decoding the video streams andsending the decoded frames of the multiple video streams to the displaydevice for displaying the streams to the watcher, wherein the frames ofthe video streams are time-interleaved for sequential display of framesof consecutive streams.

A controller 610 comprises a plurality of units configured to providethe functionality of the system as described herein, including at leastone of:

-   -   a multi-user GUI instantiation manager 611 responsible for        operating the plurality of instantiations of the aforementioned        multi-user GUI for each watcher device and for controlling the        remaining processes (612-619) according to a method shown in        FIG. 8;    -   a time control unit 612 responsible for generating        synchronization signals for synchronization with shutter glasses        and headphones (or with mobile devices to which the headphones        are connected);    -   a shutter glasses control unit 613 responsible for monitoring,        controlling and communicating with the watcher's shutter glasses        to transmit information comprising timing of frames of a        particular video stream associated with that shutter glasses;    -   an image frame generator 614 responsible for generating image        frames corresponding to given instantiation of the multi-user        GUI in a frame sequence for the video displayed on the Display        device;    -   an audio track control unit 615 for isolating audio tracks, from        the received audio/video stream, appropriate for the given        instantiation of the multi-user GUI and sending them to the        corresponding watcher's headphones according to the        synchronization signals;    -   a virtual RCU control unit 616 responsible for communication and        controlling of the virtual remote control units;    -   a headphones control unit 617 responsible for communication and        controlling of the headphones;    -   a tuner control unit 618 for monitoring actual utilization of        tuners available in the data receiving block 620 in the decoder        (FIG. 6B);    -   a conflict manager 619 responsible for detecting potential        conflicts resulting from utilizing the resources of tuners and        from all possible instantiations of the multi-user GUI operating        at the same time.

It is possible that the maximum amount of possible instantiations of themulti-user GUI (being in fact the maximum amount of possible watchers)is smaller than the amount of activated, actually detected by thedecoder, shutter glasses. In such situation the conflict manager 619,according to the priorities set for individual RCUs with respect totheir activation order, may offer to the watcher using the glasses whosenumber exceed the number of maximum possible instantiations to watch thecontents chosen by the other watcher utilizing glasses with higherpriority rank.

The controller 610 operates utilizing memory blocks 640, including RAM640A and Flash 640B blocks, and optionally a HDD 640C.

The controller 610 is configured to pair shutter glasses with a remotecontrol unit (RCU), i.a. by using the modules 616, 650, in accordancewith the procedure described in details with reference to FIG. 11.

The modules of the decoder 220 communicate with each other over abidirectional data bus 601.

FIG. 6B shows resources of a data receiving block 620 of the decoder220. The data receiving block 620 may comprise several front-ends (forexample, 2, 4, 8 or 16 front-ends) that allow to receive video streamsfrom several video receivers (tuners) 621-623.

FIG. 6C shows data stored in the memory 640 of the decoder. Data isstored in containers, such as tables or other data types.

A multi-user GUI configuration 641 data set comprises informationconcerning available interfaces 641A, accessible protocols 641B, ID ofMaster RCU 641C, a number of possible watchers 641D and other GUIparameters 641E.

A watchers' devices configurations 642 data set comprises informationconcerning configuration of the first watcher's devices 642A, such asshutter glasses, headphones and RCU type (virtual or regular), as wellas configuration of the second and consecutive watcher's devices 642B,642C. The configuration 642A-642C in particular comprises information onan identifier of the RCU which is paired with the particular shutterglasses.

A recordings 644 data set comprises information on recordings stored themass storage, such as the HDD.

The remaining memory space 643 can be used for storing other data,depending on system needs.

FIG. 7A shows an example of a configuration of a multi-user GUI and thesequences of the displayed images frames. In the presented example, themulti-user GUI has four instantiations 701-704 which are dedicated tofour watchers 311-314. Each watcher possesses dedicated shutter glasses,wherein the first watcher 311 additionally uses a standard RCU 460 andwireless headphones 441, the second watcher uses a mobile device 272with headphones 432 connected to it, the third watcher uses a mobiledevice 273 and wireless headphones 443 and the fourth watcher uses amobile device 274 with headphones 434 connected to it. The firstinstantiation 701 presents video stream 1 and audio track 1 dedicated tothe first watcher 411. The first frame of the displaying sequencecorresponds to the first instantiation 701. While the first frame isdisplayed, the lenses of the shutter glasses 411 of the first watcherare transparent (in other words: active, enabled) while the lenses ofthe glasses of the remaining watchers are opaque (in other words:inactive, disabled). Next, the second frame is displayed whichcorresponds to the second instantiation 702 (presenting video stream 2and audio track 2) dedicated to the second watcher 312. When the secondframe is displayed the lenses of the second watcher's glasses 412 aretransparent while lenses of the glasses of the remaining watchers areopaque. Equivalent principles apply to the third and fourthinstantiation.

FIG. 7B shows the multi-user GUI configuration of FIG. 7A with differenttypes of displayed content, wherein;

-   -   the first watcher 311, using the first instantiation 701,        watches a live television channel A;    -   the second watcher 312, using the second instantiation 702,        watches a recorded Recording B;    -   the third watcher 313, using the third instantiation 703,        browses an EPG while watching television channel B;    -   the fourth watcher 314, using the fourth instantiation 704,        browses WEB pages.

Therefore each instantiation 701-704 may be related to the differentcontent dedicated for each watcher 311-314.

FIG. 7C shows another configuration of the multi-user GUI, with fourinstantiations, wherein the watchers 311 and 313 are watching the samevideo streams (common for the first instantiation 701 and the thirdinstantiation 703) but with different audio tracks A1 and A2. The otherwatchers 312 and 314 watch other instantiations 702, 704 havingdifferent video and audio contents. Reducing the amount of differingvideo streams (reduction of video frames) from four down to three allowsto run another instantiation of the multi-user GUI having differentvideo and audio content. It also reduces the utilization of the systemresources.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the consecutive steps of a method forinitialization of multiple instantiations of a multi-user GUI on thedecoder. In the first step 801, the system checks the activated shutterglasses and records their activation times which later define theirpriority values. Next in step 802, the remaining watchers' devices aredetermined. In step 803, the watchers' devices are paired with theactivated shutter glasses in order to provide corresponding watchers'operations. In step 804 the shutter glasses paired with a master RCU aredetermined and a high priority is set up for this RCU. In step 805, onthe basis of the shutter glasses activation times, the priorities forthe remaining (regular or virtual) RCUs are defined. In step 806, therespective multi-user GUI instantiations for each watcher (for givenshutter glasses and paired watchers' devices) are executed. In step 807,depending on the watcher's inputs, corresponding video streams and audiotracks are determined, and image frames are generated, including anoverlay of a GUI instantiation associated with the particular set ofwatcher devices. In step 808, synchronization signals for all shutterglasses and headphones are generated and sent to the respective devices.In step 809, the prepared sequence of the image frames are displayed onthe display device and the respective audio tracks are sent tocorresponding watchers' headphones.

FIGS. 9A-9B show details of the pairing of the shutter glasses and RCUs.The TV set or another generating device sends synchronization impulses911, 921, 931 for each shutter glasses. The impulses are generatedsequentially—after the first cycle has ended the second identical cycleof impulses 912, 922, 932 is sent. The number of the impulses in eachcycle depends on the number of glasses which are registered in thesystem. The impulses contain information that impulses 911, 912 arededicated to the first shutter glasses 411 and impulses 921, 922 arededicated to the second shutter glasses 412, similarly the impulses 931,932 are dedicated to the third shutter glasses 413. Therefore, duringthe time of impulses 911, 912 the lenses of the first glasses 411 aretransparent 411A, and at other times (when there are no impulses 911,912) the shutter glasses 411 are opaque 411B. Similarly for the impulses921, 922 the lenses of the second glasses 412 are transparent 412A whilein between the impulses 921, 922 that are opaque 412B. Synchronicallywith the impulses 911, 921, 931 the video frames are displayed dedicatedto be viewed respectively by the shutter glasses 411, 412, 413.Therefore, each watcher wearing the shutter glasses receives the framesof the video stream selected by the watcher's.

As depicted in FIG. 9B, during synchronization of the RCU 461 with theshutter glasses 411, the RCU sends a sequence of infrared light waveimpulses 331A as long as a synchronization button is pressed by theuser. When the sequence 331A passes through the lens of the glasses 411,it is converted into packets of impulses 331B due to the changing state(transparent/opaque) of the shutter glasses lenses 411 according totheir synchronization signals 911, 912 sent by the display device 230.On the basis of the position of packets 331B of impulses in time whenthe display device 230 received the packet 331B and the correspondingsynchronization impulse 911, the ID of the RCU 461 which sent theimpulse sequence 331A through the glasses 411 (the glasses 411 changedthe sequence 331A into the packet 331B), may be assigned. The exactprocedure is conducted with reference to the remaining RCUs (462, 464)and glasses (412, 414).

FIG. 10 shows a synchronization procedure as conducted by the watcher.In the first step 1001 the watcher presses the synchronization button(or another button) on the RCU. After receiving the synchronizationcommand, the display device displays in step 1002 information concerningthe start of the synchronization (otherwise, the synchronization buttonshould be activated again). The information is displayed on all videoframes of a sequence (video frames belonging to each video stream) sothat the user without the shutter glasses on (in this stage of thesynchronization procedure the watcher is not wearing the shutterglasses) is able to read the message. In the next step 1003 the watcheropens the temples of the shutter glasses and places the lens of theglasses between the RCU transmitter diode and the TV set (or anotherimage generating device) infrared receiver. In step 1004, the watcherreactivates and holds the synchronization button on the RCU for a shortperiod of time. After receiving the infrared signal, the display device,basing on the position of packets of impulses in time is able toassociate the given RCU (basing on its ID emitted during sending anycommand) with the shutter glasses which are transparent only during agiven period of time. In step 1005, a message confirming a successfulsynchronization of the shutter glasses with the RCU should be displayedon the screen. The message is displayed on ail frames of the sequence.If the message is displayed, the shutter glasses are synchronized withthe RCU 1006, otherwise the procedure should be conducted againbeginning in step 1001.

For example, the RCU may be configured, once a synchronization button ispressed, to transmit an initiation code and the RCU identification code(ID) followed by a series of impulses, wherein the series of impulses iscontinued until the user holds the synchronization button.Alternatively, when the user presses the synchronization button for thefirst time (e.g. for the first time since a predetermined time haselapsed since the button was pressed the last time. e.g. 10 seconds),only the initiation code and the identification code may be transmittedand when the user presses the synchronization button for the secondtime, the series of impulses is transmitted until the user holds thesynchronization button.

FIG. 11 shows a synchronization procedure as conducted by the displaydevice (for example 220, 230). In the first step 1101, the displaydevice checks if the initiation code and/or the RCU ID is received fromthe RCU (as initiated by the user by pressing the synchronizationbutton). If the signal is received, in step 1102 the device stores thereceived RCU ID and displays the message informing about the start ofthe synchronization procedure and the following steps to be performed bythe user, otherwise the procedure returns to step 1101. In step 1103 thedisplay device awaits for subsequent transmission of an IR signal 331Bfrom the RCU. In step 1104 after receiving the IR signal from the RCUthe display device checks if it recognized which shutter glassestransmitted by the RCU infrared signals. If the recognition is notsuccessful, a message is displayed 1107 on the screen informing aboutthe pairing failure and the need to repeat the procedure. The signal isrecognized by comparing the temporal correspondence of the IR signalwith the particular synchronization signal. For example, the IR signalcan be found to be corresponding with a particular synchronizationsignal when the IR signal was at least partially active during theactive time of the synchronization signal (i.e. when the synchronizationsignal indicated the lens to be open) and when the IR signal was notactive during the inactive time of the synchronization signal (i.e. whenthe synchronization signal indicated the lens to be shut). After correctshutter glasses and RCU recognition (i.e. determining a correspondenceof the IR signal with one of the synchronization signals), in step 1105the display device stores in the memory 642 the pairing data 642A-642Cof the shutter glasses ID (for which the recognized synchronizationsignal was generated) with the RCU ID. In step 1106 the informationabout the successful synchronization of the shutter glasses with the RCUis displayed.

It can be easily recognized, by one skilled in the art, that theaforementioned method for pairing of shutter glasses with a remotecontrol unit may be performed and/or controlled by one or more computerprograms. Such computer programs are typically executed by utilizing thecomputing resources in a computing device. Applications are stored on anon-transitory medium. An example of a non-transitory medium is anon-volatile memory, for example a flash memory while an example of avolatile memory is RAM. The computer instructions are executed by aprocessor. These memories are exemplary recording media for storingcomputer programs comprising computer-executable instructions performingall the steps of the computer-implemented method according the technicalconcept presented herein.

While the invention presented herein has been depicted, described, andhas been defined with reference to particular preferred embodiments,such references and examples of implementation in the foregoingspecification do not imply any limitation on the invention. It will,however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be madethereto without departing from the broader scope of the technicalconcept. The presented preferred embodiments are exemplary only, and arenot exhaustive of the scope of the technical concept presented herein.

Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the preferredembodiments described in the specification, but is only limited by theclaims that follow.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer readable storagemedium comprising instructions that cause a processor to pair shutterglasses with a remote control unit (RCU) for use with a display deviceconfigured to display a plurality of video streams by time interleavingthe frames of the video streams and sending synchronization signal tothe shutter glasses, by performing the following steps when suchinstructions are executed by the processor, the steps comprising:generating at least one synchronization signal for the shutter glasses;transmitting, by the RCU, an infrared (IR) signal for receipt by thedisplay device, such that the IR signal passes through at least one lensof the shutter glasses prior to receipt of the IR signal by the displaydevice, wherein the shutter glasses are separate from the RCU andoperate, by alternating the at least one lens of the shutter glassesbetween a transparent state and an opaque state, according to thegenerated at least one synchronization signal; receiving, by the displaydevice, the IR signal from the RCU after the IR signal passes throughthe at least one lens of the shutter glasses; comparing the temporalcorrespondence of the received IR signal with the generated at least onesynchronization signal; and in case a temporal correspondence is found,pairing the RCU with the shutter glasses for which the correspondentsynchronization signal was found, wherein the shutter glasses for whichthe correspondent synchronization signal was found is a first shutterglasses of a plurality of shutter glasses, and wherein the RCU that ispaired with the first shutter glasses is a first RCU of a plurality ofRCUs, and wherein the correspondent synchronization signal is a firstsynchronization signal of the generated at least one synchronizationsignal, and wherein the steps further comprise: transmitting, by asecond RCU of the plurality of RCUs, a second IR signal for receipt bythe display device, such that the IR signal passes through at least onelens of a second shutter glasses of the plurality of shutter glassesprior to receipt of the second IR signal by the display device, whereinthe second shutter glasses operate, by alternating the at least one lensof the second shutter glasses between a transparent state and an opaquestate, according to a second synchronization signal of the generated atleast one synchronization signal; receiving, by the display device, thesecond IR signal from the second RCU after the second IR signal passeshaving passed through the at least one lens of the second shutterglasses; comparing the temporal correspondence of the received second IRsignal with the generated at least one synchronization signal; andpairing the second RCU with the second shutter glasses in response totemporal correspondence between the received second IR signal and thesecond synchronization signal.
 2. A method for causing a processor topair shutter glasses with a remote control unit (RCU) for use with adisplay device configured to display a plurality of video streams bytime interleaving the frames of the video streams and sendingsynchronization signal to the shutter glasses, by performing thefollowing steps, the steps comprising: generating at least onesynchronization signal for the shutter glasses; transmitting, by theRCU, an infrared (IR) signal for receipt by the display device, suchthat the IR signal passes through at least one lens of the shutterglasses prior to receipt of the IR signal by the display device, whereinthe shutter glasses are separate from the RCU and operate, byalternating the at least one lens of the shutter glasses between atransparent state and an opaque state, according to the generated atleast one synchronization signal; receiving, by the display device, theIR signal from the RCU after the IR signal passes through the at leastone lens of the shutter glasses; comparing the temporal correspondenceof the received IR signal with the generated at least onesynchronization signal; and in case a temporal correspondence is found,pairing the RCU with the shutter glasses for which the correspondentsynchronization signal was found, wherein the shutter glasses for whichthe correspondent synchronization signal was found is a first shutterglasses of a plurality of shutter glasses, and wherein the RCU that ispaired with the first shutter glasses is a first RCU of a plurality ofRCUs, and wherein the correspondent synchronization signal is a firstsynchronization signal of the generated at least one synchronizationsignal, and wherein the steps further comprise: transmitting, by asecond RCU of the plurality of RCUs, a second IR signal for receipt bythe display device, such that the IR signal passes through at least onelens of a second shutter glasses of the plurality of shutter glassesprior to receipt of the second IR signal by the display device, whereinthe second shutter glasses operate, by alternating the at least one lensof the second shutter glasses between a transparent state and an opaquestate, according to a second synchronization signal of the generated atleast one synchronization signal; receiving, by the display device, thesecond IR signal from the second RCU after the second IR signal passesthrough the at least one lens of the second shutter glasses; comparingthe temporal correspondence of the received second IR signal with thegenerated at least one synchronization signal; and pairing the secondRCU with the second shutter glasses in response to temporalcorrespondence between the received second IR signal and the secondsynchronization signal.
 3. A non-transitory computer readable storagemedium comprising instructions that cause a processor to pair shutterglasses with a remote control unit (RCU) for use with a display deviceconfigured to display a plurality of video streams by time interleavingthe frames of the video streams and sending synchronization signal tothe shutter glasses, by performing the following steps when suchinstructions are executed by the processor, the steps comprising:generating at least one synchronization signal for the shutter glasses;receiving, by the display device, an infrared (IR) signal transmitted bythe RCU, the IR signal having been transmitted by the RCU such that theIR signal passes through at least one lens of the shutter glasses priorto the IR signal being received by the display device, wherein theshutter glasses are separate from the RCU and operate, by alternatingthe at least one lens of the shutter glasses between a transparent stateand an opaque state, according to the generated at least onesynchronization signal; comparing the temporal correspondence of thereceived IR signal with the generated at least one synchronizationsignal; and in case a temporal correspondence is found, pairing the RCUwith the shutter glasses for which the correspondent synchronizationsignal was found, wherein the shutter glasses for which thecorrespondent synchronization signal was found is a first shutterglasses of a plurality of shutter glasses, and wherein the RCU that ispaired with the first shutter glasses is a first RCU of a plurality ofRCUs, and wherein the correspondent synchronization signal is a firstsynchronization signal of the generated at least one synchronizationsignal, and wherein the steps further comprise: receiving, by thedisplay device, a second IR signal transmitted by the second RCU, thesecond IR signal having been transmitted by the second RCU such that thesecond IR signal passes through at least one lens of the second shutterglasses prior to the second IR signal being received by the displaydevice, wherein the second shutter glasses operate, by alternating theat least one lens of the second shutter glasses between a transparentstate and an opaque state, according to a second synchronization signalof the generated at least one synchronization signal; comparing thetemporal correspondence of the received second IR signal with thegenerated at least one synchronization signal; and pairing the secondRCU with the second shutter glasses in response to temporalcorrespondence between the received second IR signal and the secondsynchronization signal.